Bottle capper



Oct. 30, 1928.

H. G. RICE BOTTLE CAPPER 2 Sheets-SheetI 1 Filed Feb. 5, 1927 uffi.

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y a o mlm il I L Oct. 30, 1928.

H. G. RICE BOTTLE CAPPER Filed Feb. 5, 1927 2 sheets-sheet y2 PatentedOct. 30, 1928.

UNITED STATES HAR-OLD G.,`RIGE, F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

BOTTLE Application filed lFebruary My invention relates to bottlecappers, but more particularly to that type in which there i.--;provided a frame with a base, an upright member or raclr on the frame, arider slidable on the upright memhcr and carrying a pivoted leverhaifing means eri-operating with the upright nien'iher, such as asegment, engaging the rarli to operatively connect the two, whereby therider may be reciproeated to move a capif) ping' head thereon ino andout of capping' position.

The invention further relates to a bottle rapper having a lever which isdepressed by hand to apply a cap to a bottle and which, np-

on the lever heinp` released after the capping` operation, will canse.the lever to be raised to an inoperative position and the cappingv headout of capping posit-ion, whereby the lever will not only be inconvenient position for operation in applying' another cap and inremovingl the bottle and inserting anew one beneath the capping); head,but will obviate the necessity of holding the lever in a raised positionby one hand Vin order to permit the insei-tion of the bottle beneath thecapping head7 thus leaving both hands free to carry on the capping'operation.

The present device also an improvement on the devices snown in myReissue latent No. 15.2;2,v dated November Sii 1921 and my co-pendinoAaiiiplication Serial No. jl'th filed May 2, the. improvementsconsistinon in the construction of the traine and rider arid instrengthening the frame and other parts to withstand tl strains to whichthe de fvice is subjected in use, whereby to lengthen the useful lifethereof. I

The particular enibiidiment in coi'inection with the present inventionresides in the constructimiv i the frame and the rid er, including themounting of the rack bar, and the object thereof is to provide a noveland ri eid frame having` a base in which the bottles arev supportedduring' the cappingv operation and which will accommodate bottles ofdifferent (lesions and sizes and will permit them to he properlysi'ipportod in position beneath the capping' head, well as to preventdisplacement of the hotties accidentally, and to so rider that tno.latter will have free sliding` construct the upright member or rack harand' CAPPER.

5, 1927. Serial No. 166,095,

moven'ient during the operation of the device without binding, and togenerally iinprore the appearance and enhance the value of devices ofthis nature.

in the accompanying drawings Fi l isa side elevation of the bottlecapper constructed in accord ance with the invention.

Fig'. 2 is a sectional elevation taken on the line Q -2 of Figure l.

Fig. l is a fragmentary vertical sectional View of the device with partsthereof shown in elevation. f

a horizontal sectional view taken on the line ff-4l of Figure l, and YFig. 5 is a horizontal view taken on the lino 5---5 of Figure 2.

Referring' to the drawings in detail, tho

cappe-r comprises a iframe or standard 6 ineludinp; a base or foot plate7 preferably of substantially oval or elliptical outline or form iinplan and having apertured attachment lu or ears 8 desirably located atthe front and one each side near the back for receiving fastening meansto secure the base and frame to a worlclgiencl.. table or othersupporting surface. The base 7 prefe ably pressed-sheet metal with partsthereof disposed in three horizontal planes. The peripheral portion 9 ispre ad down to form an attaching' flange inwaii y of which isdisposed anupstanding annular stiffeninfr rib or raised shelf l() and inwardlythereof is disposed a central dep ressed portion or pan ll'in and onwhich the bottle. to he capped is adapted to he supported. The portionil is disiliosed in a plane between th -z il arts l and l() and may bespaced from the sapportinpr surface of the bench or table, as ele rlyshown in Figure 2 of the drawings.

The bead or rib l0 receives .and supports the frame G thereon and hasslotted inwardly extending projections 12 at the sides near the rear andat the back to receive in the slots thereof attachment means of theframe 6 proper. 'This frame is preferably of sheetmetal suitably formedor shaped, but may be die cast or otherwise produced. It is ofsubstantially concavo-convex or U-shaped crosssection and has its lowered ge formed with attachment lugs 13 located at the forward edges and atthe back thereof and which extend through the slots in the projections12and lll() are turned over or bent at right angles beneath the wallsthereof to rigidly and lixedly connect the parts of the frame that is,the upright part or frame proper to the base. The frame G preferablyenlarges downwardly and the forward edges 14 thereof are .concave andinclined slightly forwardly toward their lower ends to give moresubstantial support and better retain the bottle in position and againstlateral displacement. The rear portion extends substantially verticallywhile the sides are convexed or bowed outwardly in synnnetrically curvedformation, so that the frame tapers or merges at the top of itsbottle-receiving portion at the lower half of the frame to the point 15where it is reinforced internally into an upright or vertical upper barportion 16 havinjy a tubular portion 17 and sides 18 branching forwardlytherefrom in slightly restricted spaced parallel relation and directedforwardly at right angles at their lower ends indicated at 1i). A rackbar 2O is held between these portions 18 and preferably comprises twoplate sec tions or strips 21 having notches co-operating to form theraclr bar 20, the strips being' anchored between the portions 18 as bymeans of rivets or other fasteners, as at 22, positioned at suitablyspaced points along the lengths of the parts. he lower ends of thestrips 21 rest on the shoulder formed by the merging of the sides of theframe 6 at the juncture 15, these portions serving to strengthen theframe at the point where it is reduced in size and bent to form theupper guide frame which carries the rack bar.

A rider 28 is slidably mounted on the npper portions 16 of the frame andis fashioned from a single plate formed into a tubular port-ion 24 whichfits and slides on the tubular part 17 of the upper guide part or rackbar of the frame. Like the sides 18, the sides 25 of the plate or stripfrom which the rider is formed, are extended in spaced parallel relationrestricted in spacin with respect to the diameter of the tubular portion24 so as to lit against the portions 18 and have uniform guidingmovement when slid or reciprocated thereon. The sides 25 have inwardlyoffset apertured ears 26 at their upper ends formed as extension lugs onthe sides of the plate of which the rider is formed and connected by arivet or other fastening means 27, such securing means between the earskeeping the rider in shape. Beneath the ears 26 the rider is providedwith opposite forward extensions 28 suitably spaced apart as by a notch29 in the lower edge of one extension defining an inner wing prolongedtransversely of the rider into engagementwith the other extension so asto secure such parts uniformly in spaced relation and at the same timeprovide an apertured ear or lug` 81 projecting through a notch 82 of thesecond extension or secured to the outer face thereof. One of theextenin the other side or extension 28 to limit the downward movement orswing of a handle 35. This handle is mounted on a pivot 8G engaged inopposite horizontally aligned apertures in the extensions 28 butpreferably in the form of a rivet having the ends thereof headed orupset so as to restrain the extensions 28 from outward ilisplacement.The lever preferably has its outer or grip ping portion shaped from abent piece of metal to lit the contour of the hand in grasping the sameand an inner portion 87 co1nprising a pair of plates riveted between thesides of the portion 35 as indicated at 88 and their inner edges formedwith co-acting teeth providing a toothed segment or segmental raclr 89meshing' with the rack bar 20. rlhe extension 88 limits the downwardswing of the handle when depressed by engagement with the shank thereofwhen moving the capping head el() int-o capping position. This cappinghead is carried by the extensions 28 at their lower edges and ispreferably riveted to reduced portions 11 extending downward ly from theextensions 28 and through slots in the end wall of the head as indicatedat al1. This capping head has an apertured cushion 4:2 therein and isdesigned to receive the bottle caps in the application thereof to thebottles.

Also mounted on the shaft 86 outwardly of an extension 28 is a deg 43which may be in the form of an angular cross-arm 413 for which the pivot86 forms a fulcrum and is retained in position by the adjacent headedend thereof. She forwardly extending arm has an outwardly extending orangular portion y-lfl in the form. of :in apertured lug or ear forconnection of a contractile spring l5 there with at one end, theopposite or lower end of the spring being anchored to the rider 23 atthe ear 81 adjacent to its bottom edge. b-

viously, the ear 8. may be formed in any suitable manner as by stampingor pr seing the same out from the liiottom ed j of one side or extensionof the rider. rl`he saine arm of the dog or crosserin has a lateralinward extension 1G. which is designed to engage in hack of the riderabove the extensions 28 to limit the pivotal movement of the cross-armor dog' under the tension of the sprin e5. rllhe other free end of thedog or er ss-arm which extends rearwardly has a lateral inward extension1-T which extends under the lever and designed to engage the shank ofthe handle or lever 85, whereby the lever is held in a raised positionunder the action of the spring l5 limited by the extension 16 as shownin Figure 1 of the drawings, so that the lever in the uncapping orinoperative position is Vnormally in a substantially horizontal positionor slightly elevated above horizontal. In this raised position the levercan be conveniently actuated and when so supported both hands of theoperator are free to place and remove the bottles, well as to apply thecaps, or for other purposes. At the same time the capping head willclear the top of the bottle and it will not be necessary to iirst raisethe capping head by raising the lever before the bottle can be insertedand the cap applied.

In the operation of the device, when a cap is being applied, the bottleis mounted on the hase 7 in the part. ll, so that the neck of the bottlewill be beneath the capping head. A cap having been previously placed inthe capping head, the operator then presses down on the lever 555 andapplies the cap to the bottle, owing to the downward movement of therider, by rocking of the segment 39 on the rack 20. During the downwardmovement of the level', the shank thereof engages the extension 47 androcks the cross-arm or `dogl a3 on its pivot 36, which is common to Jtho fulcrum of the lever, and raises the for# ward arm to stretch orextend the spring l5 against its tension, at the same time moving` theextension or stop 46 away from the rider. Il pon releasing the pressurefrom the lever 35 the spring -lwill react and cause the extension ei7 toengage the lever and raise it to a slightly elevated and operativeposition. 'lhis movement will also swing the rack ses ment at the innerend of the lever down and 7 raise the rider until the extension /lGcontacts with the rider. In this position the capping head will havebeen elevated automatically and removed or raised away from and abovethe bottle neck and cap thereon, thus obviating the possibility of the.lever dropping` down and obstructing the work by intcrfering with thefree insertion of the bottles or caps or requiring manual elevationthereof. Normally the lever will be supported in a suhstantiallyhorizontal position but preferably slightly inclined above horizontal inconvenient position 4for use, but may be swung upwardly to a.substantially vertical position to disengage the teeth of the segment3S) from the teeth of the rack bar Q0 to pern'iit free slidingmovementof the rid er 23 over the 'teeth the rack bar or the frame or upperporor tion thereof whereby quick initial ad] ustment of the rider andcapping head to bottles of dilferent sizes or heights may be obtained.'l`he upward swing of the lever 35 will be independent of the dog orcross-arm 4S-that is, the lever will move away from the support ing` lugor extension 47 while the cross-arm is held against movement under thetension of the spring limited by the engagement of 'the stop lug orextension 4G with the rider. The tubular formation of the upper part ofthe frame or rack bar at 17 and the corresponding fitting engagement ofthe tubular portion 24 of the rider not only strengthens or stilfens theupper portion of the frame but insures a connection between the partswhich will avoid unnecessary play or canting of the rider, tending tomove to a diagonal position and causing its corners or ends to grip orbind, but will insure free and uniform reciprocation of the rider whenactuated and generally facilitate the capping of the bottles. The frameat the point l5 is strengthened by a tubular wall formation at theinside which produces a seam, as clearly shown in Figures 2 and 3 of thedrawings, although this seam may be closed if desired.

YWhile I have shown and described my invention in. a preferred form, Iam aware that various changes and modifications may be made thereinwithout departing from the principles of the invention, the scope ofwhich may be determined by reference to the appendcd claims,

I claim as my invention:

l. In a bottle capper, a frame of concaveconvex cross-section having anupright por tion with a tubular part and parallel side portionsextending therefrom, a notched bar secured between said side portions,and a base secured to the lower portion ofthe frame.

2. In a bottle capper, a frame of concaveconveX cross-section having anupright portion with a tubular part and parallel side portions extendingtherefrom, a notched bar secured between said side portions, means forholding the frame in an upright position, a rider slidable on theuprightportion of the frame over the notched bar and having a tubularportion titting the first-mentioned tubular portion, a lever pivoted onthe rider and having a notched segment enga,{ ing the notched bar, and acapping head on the rider.

3. In a bottle capper, a frame of concaveconveX cross-section havingl anupright portion with a tubular part and parallel side portions extendingtherefrom, a notched bar secured between said side portions, means forholding the frame in an upright position, a rider slidable on theupright portion of the frame over the notched bar and having a tubularportion fitting the first-mentioned tubular portion and extended sidesen'ibracing the side portions of the upright portion, a lever pivoted onthe rider and having a notched segment engaging the notched bar, and acapping head extending down to the ider in front of the frame at itsconcave side, movement of the lever causing the rider to slide.

ll. In a bottle capper, a frame in the form of an upright sheet metalmember of substantially U-shaped cross section with its open sidedisposed forwardly and enlarging downwardly, a base formingl a bottlesupport and connected to the lower end of the frame, and the sides beingbrought toward each other to form an upright portion extending uplll)lol

'ill

wardly from the narrow upper end of the frame with spaced side portionsextending therefrom, and a bar held between said side portions.

5. In a bottle capper, a frame in the forni of an upright member ofsubstantially U- shaped cross section with its open side disposedforwardly and enlarging downwardly, a base forming a bottle support andconnected to the lower end of the frame, said frame being formed at itsupper end with an upright part having a tubular portion and spacedparallel sides restricted with respect to the diameter` of the tubularportion, and a rack bar held between said sides.

6. In a bottle capper, a frame in the form of an upright member ofsubstantially U- shaped cross section with its open side disposedforwardly and enlarging downwardly, a base forming a bottle support andconnected to the lower end of the frame, said frame being formed at itsupper end with an upright part having a tubular portion and spacedparallel sides restricted with respect to the diameter of the tubularportion, a bar secured between said sides, a riner having a tubularportion and spaced sides extending `hcrefrom Vitting the tubular portionand spaced sides aforesaid, and means on the rider l aving operativeengagement with the bar for reciprocating the rider, said rider having acapping head.

7. In a bottle capper, a frame in the form of an upright member ofsubstantially U- shaped cross section with its open side disposed foriardly and enlarging downwardly, a base forming a bottle support andconnected to the lower end of the frame, said frame being formed at itsupper end with an upright part having a bearing portion and spaced sidesprojecting lorwardly therefrom, a bar secured between said sides, arider havin g a tubular portion fitting said bearingI portion and spacedsides extending` therefrom fitting the spaced sides aforesaid andembracing the edges thereof, said rider havingl a depending capping headat the front of the capping frame, and .means on the rider and havingoperative engagement with the bar for sliding the rider into and out ofcapping` position.

8'. In a bottle capper, a single sheet metal transverse frame member ofsubstantially llshaped cross section with an intermediate bightportionclosing the frame member at the bach and enlarging downwardly withdiverging sides and having extensions on its lower edge, a base having`openings receiving the extensions for attaching the frame memherto thebase, the upper end of the frame being formed with an upright and thesides of the frame member brought toward each other in taperingformation at the juncture with, the upright and a rider movable on theupright and having a capping head.

9. Ina bottle capper, a sheet metal frame of substantially U-shapedcross section enlarging downwardly with diverging sides and havingextensions on its lower edge, a base having openings receiving theextensions for attaching the frame to the base, said frame having itsiall offset inwardly and continued upwardly to form an integral uprightportion reinforced at its juncture with the frame proper and spacedsides, and a notched bar held between said sides.

10. In a bottle capper, a sheet metal frame of substantially U-shapedcross section enlarging downwardly with diverging sides and havingextensions onits lower edge, a base having openings receiving theextensions for attaching the frame to the base, said frame having anintegral upright portion with a substantially tubular part and spacedsides extending tlierefroinwith forward extensions at their lower ends,a rack bar held between said sides, a rider conforming in shape to theupright portion and movable over the same, a lever pivoted on the riderand having a toothed segment engaging the rack to reciprocate the rider,and a capping head on the rider. i

ll. In a bottle capper, a sheet metal frame of concave-convex crosssection having an open side and tapering toward its upper end, said up3er end being extended. to form a guide frame and having stiffeningportions, the lower edge of the frame having tongues, and a base havinga marginal raised portion with slots receiving the tongues which areturned over to secure the base to the frames,

l2. In a bottle capper, a sheet metal frame of concavo-convex crosssection having an open side and tapering toward its upper. end, saidupper end being extended to form a guide frame and having stiffeningportions, and a base for the frame having a peripheral flange, anupstanding iib or shelf on which the frame rests and to which the loweredge of the frame is secured, and a pan inwardly of the rib to receivethe bottles, the frame being disposed at the back of the base so thatthe forward part of the base projects therefrom.

13. In a bottle capper, a frame in the form of an upright member ofsubstantially U- shaped cross section with its open side disposedforwardly and enlarging downwardly, a base forming a bottle support andconnected to the lower end of the frame, said frame being formed at itsupper end with an upright part having a tubular portion and a rack bar,a rider having a tubular portion fitting the tubular portion aforesaid,a cappinghead on the rider, and means pivoted on the rider and havingoperative engagement with the bar for reciprocating the rider into andout of capping position.

14. VIn a bott-le capper, a frame of concaveconvex cross-section havingan upright portion with a tubular part and side portions Sis lof

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extending therefrom, a bar secured to said side portions, means forholding the frame in an upright position, a rider slidable on theupright portion of the frame over the bar and fitting the tubular part,a lever pivoted on the rider and having operative connection with thebar for reciprocating the rider upon movement of the lever, and acapping head depending from the rider in front of the frame.

l5. ln a bottle capper, a frame in the form of an upright member ofsubstantially U-shaped cross section with its open side disposedforwardly and enlarging downwardly, a base forming a bottle support andconnected to the lower end of the frame, said frame being formed at itsupper end With an upright part having a tubular portion and spacedparallel sides restricted With respect to the diameter of the tubularportion, a bar secured between said sides and projecting forwardlythereof, a rider having a tubular portion and spaced sides eX- tendingtherefrom slidably litting the tubular portion and spaced sides togetherWith the forward edges thereof and the sides of the bar, a capping headon the rider, and means pivoted on the rider and having operativeengagementwith the bar for reciproeatine' the rider into and out of cainnf p a position.

HAROLD G.- RICE.

